Automatic packing jig and vacuum hoist



Dec- 1 1 A. E. BRUCE 2,963,836

AUTOMATIC PACKING JIG AND VACUUM HOIST Filed March 29, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORI 44 EXA NDEE E. aeuce,

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Dec. 13, 1960 A. E. BRUCE AUTOMATIC PACKING JIG AND VACUUM HOIST 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1960 INVENTOR.

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Dec. 13, 1960 A. E. BRUCE AUTOMATIC PACKING JIG AND VACUUM HOIST Filed March 29, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 & Mir-w. L1 k to W\ N s,\: 0

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Dec. 13, 1960 A. E. BRUCE 2,963,335

AUTOMATIC PACKING JIG AND VACUUM HOIST Filed March 29, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 5

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Dec. 13, 1960 A. E. BRUCE AUTOMATIC PACKING JIG-AND VACUUM HOIST Filed March 29, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 4Lfl4/VOE? E 390645,

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Dec. 13, 1960 A. E. BRUCE 2,963,836

AUTOMATIC PACKING JIG AND VACUUM HOIST Filed March 29', 1960 r 7 Sheets-Sheet s j AT'TOE/VEYS.

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k "SW :2 R M A. E. BRUCE AUTOMATIC PACKING JIG AND VACUUM HOIST Dec. 13, 1960 Filed March 29, 1960 ai wmw RN qN INVEN TOR. 4L EXA/VDEB E. 53065;

v BY 7 4 77'0EA/E Vs f e-tented Dee. l3, 1960 laid AUTOMATIC PACKING HG-AND VACUUM HOIST Alexander E. Bruce, 515 Mather St., Alton, Ill.

Filed Mar. 29, 1960, Ser. No..18,431

10 Claims. (Cl. 53--62) This invention relates to material handling apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for automatically handling and packing rigid or semi-rigid sheet, plate or slab material.

The main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for handling material in the form of sheets, plates or slabs, or similar rigid bodies of material, the apparatus being simple in construction, being reliable in operation, and providing automatic and rapid handling and packing of the material, whereby the rate of production of said material may be substantially increased.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for handling sheet, plate, slab, or similar rigid material, the apparatus being arranged to automatically lift the material from a conveyor, transfer the material to a supporting table, stack the material on the table, and then place the material in a crate or similar container and rotate the loaded crate to a substantially vertical position so that it may be easily removed.

A still further object of the invention is toprovide an improved apparatus for handling rigid or semi-rigid sheet, plate, slab or similar material, the apparatus greatly reducing the time required in removing, stacking and crating the material, providing a higher quality of finished product by eliminating damage to the material heretofore caused by handling and packing same by hand, and greatly reducing the amount of time and labor required in removing the material from a conveyor, stacking the material and placing the stacked material in a crate.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus especially suitable for safely and efliciently handling and packing relatively fragile sheet material, such as plate and sheet glass, the apparatus being arranged so that it does not mar the surfacesof such material and so that the material is moved gently and without excessive impact.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly in diagrammatic form, showing an automatic packing jig and vacuum hoist apparatus according to the invention disposed adjacent a conveyor carrying sheet material to be stacked and crated.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 22.of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially-on theline 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan detail view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is .an enlarged cross sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of-Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional detail view taken on the line 88 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross sectional detail view taken substantially on the line lti1t of Figure 3.

Figure 11a is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electrical connections of the circuit components of the apparatus associated mainly with the vacuum hoist portion thereof.

Figure 11b is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electrical circuit components associated mainly with the packing jig portion of the apparatus and being intended to be connected to the circuit shown in Figure so as to cooperate therewith.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a generally rectangular main frame 28 which is arranged in transversely overlying relationship to a conveyor 54 on which sheet material is carried. The frame 20 extends laterally from the conveyor and is provided with a horizontally extending table structures 3t 3t) disposed adjacent to and at one side of the conveyor 50.

The frame 20 includes a double apparatus, both sections of the apparatus being identical, so that the description will be confined herein to one of said sections.

The drawings illustrate diagrammatically the positions of the various limit switches associated with the left hand section of the apparatus, as viewed in Figure l, and it will be understood that such limit switches will be likewise provided on the right hand section and will be similarly connected.

The table 34 comprises a rigid framework located substantially at the same level as the conveyor 5% and comprises the spaced horizontal supporting bars 51 which extend perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor, nam ly, in a lateral direction, the bars 51 being rigidly secured at their inner ends to a suitable supporting frame member 52 and being free at their outer ends, for a purpose presently to be described.

The frame 20 includes the transversely extending channel bars 53, 53 which extend over the conveyor 56 and over the table structure 30 laterally adjacent thereto. Secured to the bottom flanges of the channel bar 53 are the respective transversely extending horizontal guide rails '54, 54-. Designated at 21 is a trolley member provided with the respective pairs of rollers 55, 55 at its opposite ends, said rollers being supportingly engaged on the respective guide rails 54, 54, thus supporting the trolley member 21 for horizontal transverse movement back and forth between positions overlying the conveyor and the table structure 3%. v

A transversely extending horizontal cylinder 23 is mounted on the upper portion of frame it? between the channel bars 53, 53, said cylinder being provided with a piston having an external piston rod portion 56 which is pivotally connected to the trolley member 21 at an upstanding lug 57 provided on the transverse outer end portion of its frame, namely, on the portion thereof located at the right side thereof, as viewed in Figure 2.

As will be presently described, extension and retraction of the piston rod '56 moves the trolley member 21 outwardly and inwardly relative to the conveyor 50.

Cylinder 23 is actuated by a suitable fluid pressure source, not shown, and the operation of said cylinder is controlled by a solenoid-actuated reversing valve 58 (Figure 11a) provided with the respective operating windings 59 and so. Whenwinding 59 is energized valve 58 operates to admit fluid under pressure into cylinder 23 in a direction to cause the piston rod 56 to be extended, whereby to move the trolley member 21 outwardly. Conversely, when the operating winding oil of valve 58 is energized, the valve'is-reversed and fluid under pressure is admitted therein in a manner to cause the piston rod 56 to be retracted, namely, in a manner to move the trolley member 21 inwardly toward a position overlying the conveyor 50.' t

Designated at 24 is a horizontally extending hoist rack of the vacuum type which is disposed beneath the trolley member 21 and which is supported therefrom by respective pairs of cables 25, 25 wound on respective drums 60' carried on the ends of a transverse shaft member 61 journaled in one end portion of the carriage member 21,'one of each pair of cables 25 extending over an idler pulley 26 journaled at the adjacent side of the carriage member, whereby the vacuum hoist rack member 24 is supported by respective cables 25' depending from the four corner portions of the carriage member 21.

A cable drum 62 is mounted on the intermediate portion of shaft 61, and wound on the drum is a cable 63 which is connected to the end of the piston rod 64 of a piston mounted in a fluid pressure cylinder 27 mounted on the carriage member 21 and extending transverse to the fluid pressure cylinder 23, previously described. As will be readily apparent, the rack member 24 is lowered when the piston rod 64 is extended from the cylinder 27 and conversely is raised when the piston rod 64 is retracted into the cylinder.

Cylinder 27 is operated from a suitable fluid pressure source through an electrically controlled reversing valve 65 having the respective operating windings 66 and 67 (Figure 11a). 'When the winding 66 is energized the valve 65 is operated to admit fluid pressure into cylinder 27 in a direction to extend the piston rod 64 and lower the vacuum hoist rack member 24. Conversely, when the winding 67, is energized, the valve 65 is actuated to reverse the operation of cylinder 27 and to retract the piston rod 64, causing the vacuum hoist rack member 24 to be elevated.

The hoist rack 24 comprises a framework including evenly spaced transversely extending horizontal supporting bars 68 provided with the horizontal flanges 69. Spaced along the flanges 69 and slidably mounted therein are the vertically movable tubular conduit members 70, a stop collar 71 being secured to the top end portion of eachconduit 70 to limit the downward movement thereof to a position such as that illustrated in Figure 10. Secured to the bottom end of each conduit 70 is a rubber suction cup 28, the conduit 70 being biased downwardly by a coiled spring 72 surrounding same and hearing between the metal bushing portion 73 of the suction cup 28 and the top bushing element 74 provided in the flange 69 to slidably support the conduit 70. Each vacuum cup assembly is provided with an electrically controlled venting valve 75 mounted on the top end of its associated conduit 70, as shown in Figure 10, each venting valve 75 being provided with an operating winding 29'which controls the movement of a plunger 76. The plunger 76 is rigidly connected to a plug element 77 which is biased to seating position in a valve seat 78 between a cavity 79 in the body of valve 75 communicating with the top end of conduit 70 and a vent opening 80 provided at the top of the valve body. A coiled spring 81 biases the plug element 77 toward closed position, but the plug is unseated to vent the conduit 70 responsive to the energization of the winding 29 ofthe valve. Figure lla shows one of the venting valves connected in the circuit of the apparatus, and it will be understood that the remaining venting valves are connected in parallel with the valve shown in Figure 11a.

The respective packingjig portions of the apparatus are designated generally at 1, 1, and a packing jig portion is provided for each of the two identical segments of the hoist portion of the apparatus. Each packing jig assembly comprises a truck frame 85 consisting of a pair of vertical side members 86, 86 extending perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor 50 and being movably sup ported on respective pairs of guide tracks 18 secured in the floor 87, each pair of guide tracks 18, 18 extending from beneath the associated table member 30 to a location outwardly adjacent the frame 20.

Each vertical side assembly 86 comprises a pair of upstanding plate members 88, 88 rigidly connected by suitable top and bottom cross members 89 and 90, the lower cross members 90 having rollers 91 journaled thereon which supportingly engage on the respective channeled track members 18, 18, as is clearly shown in Figure 5. The rollers 91 are provided at the respective corner portions of the truck frame so as to support said frame in a horizontal position for reciprocal movement inwardly and outwardly relative to frame 20, namely, from a posi tion outwardly adjacent the frame 20, as shown in full line view in Figure 2, to a position underlying the associated table member 30, and then to a return position spaced outwardly from frame 20, as shown in full line view in Figure 2. A horizontal tranversely directed fluid pressure cylinder 17 is mounted on the floor 87 beneath the conveyor 50, said cylinder being provided with a piston having the piston rod 88 which is connected to the truck frame 85 for extending and retracting said frame on the supporting tracks 18. It will be understood that similar cylinders 17 are provided for each of the two identical truck frames associated with the duplex assembly illustrated in Figure 1. Therefore, the description will be confined to the elements associated with only one of the packing jig assemblies, since the same description will apply to the other packing jig assembly of the duplex apparatus.

The operation of the fluid pressure cylinder 17 is controlled by a conventional electrically operated reversing valve 89 shown diagramatically in Figure llb, the valve 89 having the respective actuating windings 9i} and 91. When the winding 90 is energized, the valve 89 is operated to admit fluid from a suitable fluid pressure source into the cylinder 17 in a direction to cause the piston rod 88 to be extended to the position thereof shown in full line view in Figure 2. This is the normal position of the truck assembly 1. When the operating winding 91 of valve 89 is energized it actuates the valve to cause the piston rod 88 to be retracted and to move the truck frame 85 inwardly to a position underlying the associated table member 39. Respective limit switches are provided to deenergize the operating windings9i) and 91 of the solenoid valve 89 at the limiting positions of the truck frame 1, as will be presently described.

The vertical side members of the frame 1 are rigidly connected by horizontal cross members at the opposite end portions thereof, said cross members being shown at 92. The truck frame also includes an intermediate assembly 93 extending parallel to the side members 86, 86, said intermediate'assembly comprising the vertical side bars 9, 9 which are rigidly connected to the opposite cross members 92, 92 at the respective ends of the truck frame. A fluid pressure cylinder '10 is pivotally connected at its upper portion between the vertical bar members 9, 9, said cylinder being pivoted on a horizontal trunnion assembly 94, as shown in Figure 5.

Designated generally at 3 is a platen carriage which overlies the truck frame 85 and which is pivotally sup ported thereon at the pivot connections 6, 6, shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the carriage 3 comprises a frame 97 which normally extends horizontally over the truck frame 85 and which includes: flanged portions 98, 98 received between the upper portions of respective pairs of upstanding trunnion plates 99, 99 rigidly secured on the truck frame 85. The respective pairs of vertical trunnion plates 99, 99 are suitably secured on a transverse cross member 4 secured transversely between the side assemblies 86, 86 of the truck frame, as shown in Figure 4, the respective pairs of upstanding trunnion plates 99, 99 being transversely aligned and being located a susbtantial distance from the left side of the truck fram? ,85, as viewed in Figure 2. As

shown in Figure 4, the pivoted carriage member 97 projects laterally over the side members 86 of the truck frame, and therefore the tr p portions of the plates 83 are cut away, as shown at 99, to provide clearance for the lower outer corner of the carriage 97 and parts cartied thereby when the carriage is rotated upwardly, in a manner presently to be described, on the pivot members 6, 6.

The fluid pressure cylinder is provided with the upwardly projecting piston rod 100 which is pivotally connected at 101 to the intermediate portion of the packing jig carriage 97, whereby said carriage may be rotated upwardly to an angle of substantially '90 degrees in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, responsive to the extension of the piston rod 100.

The cylinder 10 is operated from a suitable supply of fluid under pressure through an electrically actuatedreversing valve 102 having the respective operating windings 103 and 10 1, as shown in Figure 11b. When the winding 103 is energized the valve 102 is actuated to supply fluid under pressure to cylinder 10 in a direction to extend the piston rod 10 and to elevate the platen carriage 97. Conversely, when the winding 104 is energized, the valve 102 admits fluid under pressure into cylinder 10 in a direction to retract the piston rod 100 and to lower the platen carriage 97. The windings 1'03 and 104 are controlled by suitable limit switches presently to be described, which define the respective limiting positions of the platen carriage 97.

Designated at 105 is a platen member which is supported on the carriage 97 and which is vertically movable relative thereto, being guided for vertical movement relative 'to the frame 3 by the provision of respective opposed lug elements 106, 106 provided on the opposite transverse marginal portions of the platen member 105, the lugs 106 being slidably received between respective pairs of vertical flanges 107, 107 projecting inwardly from the sides of frame 3 and serving as guide means for receiving the lugs 106 and guiding same for vertical movement 'therebetween. Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the flanges 107 are formed integrally with the transversely extending vertical side plates of the carriage frame 97 and are preferably located substantially at the mid portions of said vertical side plates.

The frame 97 is generally rectangular in shape, and the platen 'member 105 is slidably received therein for vertical reciprocal movement. The frame 97 is provided at its respective corner portions with depending bracket assemblies 106 which are provided with horizontal -bottom plate members 107 on which are m'ounted'the respective vertical cylinders 12. The cylinders 12 are provided with respective upwardly extending piston rods 13 provided with the enlarged integral head portions 108. The head portions 108 are received in socket assemblies '15 secured to and depending from the bottom surface of the platen member 105, each of said socket assemblies comprising a centrally apertured bottom cover plate 14 through which the piston rod 13 extends, and a wear plate of brass, bronze, or similar material '15 interposed between the bottom plate 14 and a plate member 109 forming the top wall of the socket assembly, as is clearly shown in Figure 7.

The cylinders 12 are operated from a suitable source of fluid under pressure through an electrically actuated reversing valve 110 having the respective operating wind ings'111 and 112. When the winding 111 is energized, fluid under pressure is admitted by valve 110 into cylinder 12 in a direction to cause the piston rod 13 to be elevated, whereby the platen member 105 is elevated relative to the supporting frame "97. Conversel when the winding 112 is energized, the fluid under pressure is admittedby the valve 110 into the cylinders 12 in a direction to lower the platen member 105-toward the frame 97. The raising and lowering of the platen member 105 is controlled by the provision of respective limit switches, presently to be described, which define the limiting positions of said platen member.

Rigidly secured to the outer edge of the platenmemher 105 is an upstanding Wall element 113 which serves as a support for a crate, shown in dotted view at 114, when the platen assembly is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, as previously mentioned, to the dotted view position thereof shown in Figure 2.

The apparatus is intended to elevate material such as a substantially rigid sheet 115 from the conveyor 50, then transfer the sheet to a position over the table 30, then lower the sheet onto the table. This action is repeated until a desired number of sheets 115 are stacked on the table 30, as shown in dotted view in Figure 2. Thereafter, the packing jig portion of the apparatus is operated to move a horizontally disposed open crate 114, supported on the platen member 105, inwardly to surround the stacked sheets 115. The platen member 105 is then elevated, to raise the sheets 115 off the table 30, after which the platen carriage is moved outwardly away from the table 30 to disengage from said table. In the outwardly extended position of the truck member the platen member 105 is lowered, after which the frame 105' is rotated by means of the fluid pressure cylinder 10 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, through an angle of substantially degrees, whereby the loaded crate is raised to a vertical position, supported on the wall member 113 and may be removed.

The platen member is provided with spaced rubber lifting blocks 19 which are located so as to lie between the slats or cleats of conventional packing crates 114 when said crates are disposed on the platen member 1115 in the manner illustrated in dotted view in Figure 2. The blocks 19 thus serve as aligning means for properly aligning the crates so that they will pass between spaced horizontal bar members 51 of the table 30 and will surround the stack of sheets 115 thereon when the truck frame 85 is moved inwardly with the platen assembly, as above described. The rubber lifting blocks 19 extend upwardly beyond the slats of the crate and engage the lowermost plate 115 of the stack, whereby the stack of plates may be lifted 011 'of the horizontally extending spaced bar members 51 of the table 30, and whereby the stacked plates, surrounded by the crate 114, may be moved outwardly and away from the table 30 when the truck frame 85 is returned to its outwardly extended position, shown in dotted view in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figures 111: and 116, it will be seen that a pair of power supply wires 12% and 121 are provided, said wires being connected to a suitable electric power source. One terminal of winding 59 of the valve 58 is connected directly to the line wire 120, and simiiarl one terminal of the winding 60 of said valve is connected to said line wire. The remaining terminal of Winding 59 is connected by a wire 122 to a contact 123 of a threepole limit switch 124. Contact 123 is normally engaged by a pole 125 of the limit switch 124, said pole also engaging a contact 126 in the normal position of the limit swi tch.

Limit switch 124 is suitably mounted on frame 20 so as to be engaged by the trolley member 21 when said member has been moved outwardly away from the conveyor 50 to its limiting position over the table 30. Figure 11a shows the limit switch 124 in its normal position, namely, in the position wherein the trolley member 21 is located over the conveyor 50.

Contact 126 is connected by a wire 127 to the contact 12% of a limit switch 129 (Figure 3) mounted in a position to be engaged by the cup rack 24- when said cup rack is in its uppermost position, namely, the position thereof shown in Figure 3. Thus, in this position, contact 128 is engaged by a pole 130 of limit switch 129, which also engages 'a contact 1.31 of said limit switch. Contact 131 is connectedby a wire =132 to a contact 133 of a relay 134. The relay 134 is provided with an armature 135 which bridgingly connects contact 133 to an opposing contact 136, responsive to the energization of relay 134. Contact 136 is connected by a wire 137 to line wire 121. Thus, when the limit switches are in their normal conditions, illustrated in Figure 11a energization of relay 134 energizes winding 59 through a circuit comprising line wire 120, winding 59, wire 122, the pole 125 of limit switch 124, engaging the contacts 123 and 126, wire 127, the pole 130 of limit switch 129 engaging the contacts 128 and 131, the wire 132, the pole 135 of relay 134, engaging the contacts 133 and 136, the wire 137, and the line wire 121.

The winding of relay 134 has one terminal thereof connected by a wire 138 to the line wire 128. The other terminal of the relay winding is connected by a wire 139 to one contact 140 of a limit switch 141. Switch 141 has the pole 142 bridgingly engageable with contact 140 and antopposing contact 143, which is connected by a wire 144 to line wire 121. The limit switch 141 is located (Figure 3) so as to be engaged by rack 24 when said rack descends toward the conveyor 50. When the rack descends to close the limit switch 141, winding 134 becomes energized by a circuit comprising line wire 120, wire 128, the winding 134, the wire 139, the pole 142 and contacts 140 and 143 of limit switch 141, the wire 144 and the line wire 121. The relay 134 is thereafter maintained energized by a holding circuit comprising a pole 145 thereof which engages a pair of contacts 146 and 147, the contact 146 being connected to the wire 139 and the contact 147 being connected by a wire 148 to a contact 149 of a limit switch 150, normally engaged by a pole 151 which also engages an opposing contact 152 of the limit switch. Contact 152 is connected by a wire 153 to the line wire 121.

The limit switch 150 is suitably mounted adjacent the table 30 so as to be engaged by the rack member 24 when said rack member descends toward the table 30 to unload material thereon.

The winding 60 of valve 58 has one terminal thereof connected to the line wire 120. The other terminal thereof is connected by a wire 154 to one contact 155 of a three-pole limit switch 156. Contact 155 is engageable by a pole 157 of limit switch 156, to bridgingly connect same to an opposing contact 158. Contact 158 is connected by a wire 159 through the contacts 160 and 161 and pole 162 of limit switch 129 to a wire 163 connected to a contact 164 of a relay 165. Contact 164 is engage able by a pole 166 of relay 165 to connect same to an opposing contact 167, which is in turn connected by a wire 168 to line wire 121. Limit switch 156 is located in a position to be engaged by the trolley member 21 when said trolley member is in its normal position overlying the conveyor 50. Otherwise the contacts 155 and 158 are closed, whereby the trolley may be returned toward said normal position. Thus, when the contacts 155 and 158 are closed, namely, when the trolley member is not in said normal position, winding 60 may be energized by a circuit comprising line wire 120, the winding 69, the wire 154, the contacts 155 and 158, connected by pole 157, wire 159, the closed contacts 168 and 161 of limit switch 129, the wire 163, contacts 164 and 167 of relay 165, bridged by pole 166 (with the relay 165 energized) wire 168 and line wire 121. The relay 165 will be energized when limit switch 150 is closed, which occurs when the rack 24 descends toward the table 38, the relaytbeing held closed by a holding circuit comprising a pole 169 engageable with contacts 178 and 171 of the relay, the contact 170 being connected to a terminal wire 172 of the relay winding and the contact 171 being connected to a wire 173 which is connected through contacts 174 and 175 and pole 176 of limit switch 156 to line wire 121. Thus, contacts 174 and 175 will be closed when the carriage 21 is in its forward position and the relay will be maintained energized until the carriage returns to the position thereof overlying conveyor 50, shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 11a, the remaining terminal wire 177 of relay 165 is connected to the line Wire 120.

The winding 66 of solenoid valve 65, controlling the raising and lowering of the rack member 24, has one terminal thereof connected by a wire 178 to line wire 120. The other terminal of winding 66 is connected by a wire 179 to one terminal 180 of a relay 181, the terminal 180 being engageable by a pole 182 of the relay to connect the same to an opposing contact 183 which is in turn connected by a wire 184 to line wire 121. One terminal of the'winding of relay 181 is connected by a wire 185 to line wire 120. The other terminal of the relay is connected by a wire 186 to one terminal 187 of a limit switch 188 having a pole 189 engageable with the contact 187 and an opposing contact 190. Contact 190 is connectedby a wire 191 to a contact 192 of limit switch 166, said contact being engageable by a pole 193 of the limit switch to connect same to an opposing con tact 194 which is connected to the line wire 121.

Limit switch 188 is located in a position to be engaged by a sheet of material carried on the conveyor 50 and moving into loading position beneath the carriage 21 when said carriage is in the position illustrated in Figure 1. When the limit switch 188 is engaged by the material and is thus closed, relay 181 may be energized by a circuit comprising line wire 120, wire 185, the winding of relay 181, wire 186, limit switch 188, wire 191, the pole 193 of limit switch 156, engaging the contacts 192 and 194, and the line wire 121. Relay 181 is provided with a holding circuit comprising a'contact 195, a pole 196, an opposing contact 197, a wire 198, the contacts 199 and 200 and the pole 201 of a limit switch 202, a Wire 203, the wire 191, the pole 193 and contacts 192 and 193 of limit switch 156, and the line wire 121.

The limit switch 202 is located (Figure 3) so as to be engaged by an end portion of piston rod 64 when said piston rod is extended to lower the cup rack 24 to the limit of its lowered position. 7 a

The elevating winding 67 of solenoid valve 65 has one terminal thereof connected to line wire 120 by the wire 178. The other terminal of winding 67 is connected by a wire 204 to one contact 205 of a relay 206 having a pole 207 bridgingly engageable with contact 205 and an opposing contact 208 responsive to the energization of the relay. Contact 208 is connected by a wire 209 to line Wire 121. Thus, when relay 206 is energized, the elevating winding 67 of solenoid 65 may be energized by a circuit comprising line wire 120, wire 178, the winding 67, wire 204, contact 205, pole 207, contact 208, wire 209 and line wire 121. The relay 206 may bemaintained energized by a holding circuit including a contact 210, a pole 211, a contact 212, a wire 213, a pole 214 and contacts 215 and 216 of limit switch 129 and a wire 217 connecting contact 216 to line wire 121.

The control windings 29 of the venting valves associated with the vacuum cups 28 have one terminal thereof connected to a wire 218, connected to wire 1'78 and thus connected to line wire 120. The remaining terminals of the venting valve windings are connected to a wire 220 connected to a contact 222 of limit switch 150. A pole 221 of limit switch 150 is engageable with contact 222 and an opposing contact 223, which is connected to wire 153 and thus to line wire 121.

The venting windings 29 thus become energized responsive to the closure of limit switch 150, which occurs when the rack 24 is lowered onto the table 30, the windings 29 being energized by a circuit comprising line wire 120, wire 218 and the windings 29, wire 220, pole 221and contacts 222 and 223, wire 153 and line wire 151.

225 and contacts -226and 237 of'saidrelay. Thus,the

wire 136 is connected by a wire 228 to the contact 226 and the contact 227 is connected by a wire 229to the wire'191, so that relay 181 maybe energized by the closure of contacts 225, 226 and 227 of'relay 224 as long as limit snitch156 is closed'at'thepole-193'thereof. Relay 224 has one terminal thereof connected to line wire 1'20 bya wire 230. The'otherterminal of the winding of relay 24- is connected by a wire 231 to a contact 232 of limit switch 154, said contact being engageable by a pole 233 to connect same man opposing contact 23 Contact 234'is'connected by a'wire 235 to'acontact 236 of relay 134, the contact 236 being engageable by a pole 237 of said relay to connect same'to a contact 238 of the relay. Contact 238 is "connected by a wire 232 to'the wire 184 and thus to the line -wire 121. The relay 2116 has a further energizing circuit comprising a Wire 2443 connectinga terminal of the relay winding to one contact 241 of limit switch 202, said'contact 'being engageable by a pole 242'of'the limit switch to connect same to an opposing contact 243. Contact 24-3 is connected by a wire'244 to line wire 121.

Relay 165 has a'fur'ther energizing circuit coniprising the contacts 245 and '246 and a pole 247 of limit switch 159, the contact 245 being connected tothe wire 172 and the contact 246 being connected to the wire 153, whereby the relay 165 may be energized responsive to the closure of limit switch 150, namely, when the rack member 24 engages limit switch 159 as it is lowered over the table 31 The winding of relay 131 also includes in circuit therewith a pair or" contacts 248 and 249 and a pole 250 of limit switch 124, these contacts'being at times included in a circuit containing the contacts of relay 224.

The operation of the electrical components illustrated in Figures 11a, in association with the previously described parts of'the hoist'portion'of'the apparatus is as follows: A sheet of material engages the limit switch 183,

causing relay 181 to become energized by the circuit comprising line wire 120, wire 185, the winding of relay 18 1, wire 136, limit switch 183, wire 191, the pole 193 of limit switch '156, arid line wire 121. Winding 66 of the valve 65 becomes energized by a circuit comprising ine wire 12%, wire 178, the winding 66 wire 179, the pole 182 of relay 181, wire 184 and line wire 121. Rack 24 descends and engages the sheet of material. The end of piston rod 64'en'ga'ges limit switch 2'22 and rack 24 engages limit switch 141. Relay 181, whichhas been previously'locked closed by its holding armature 196, becomes deenergized by the opening of contacts 199 and 2%. Relay 134 becomes energized by the closure or limit switch 141, and relay 206 becomes energized by the closure of limit switch 202. The elevating winding 67 of reversing valve then becomes energized through the pole 207 and contacts 295 and 2 3% of relay 2136, and rack 24 rises. When rack "24 engages limit switch 12? relay 206 becomes deenergized by the opening of its holding circuit at the pole 214 of limit switch 129, whereby winding 67' becomes deenergized.

Winding 59 of the reversing valve 68 becomes energized as soon as the rack has been elevated'to its terminal position, namely, to the position wherein limit switch 1213 closes its contacts 128, 131. The trolley 21 then moves forwardly, namely, to a position overlying the table 3%, and engages limit switch 124. This deenergizes winding 5'9 by opening the contacts 123 and 126. Relay 224 becomes energized by the closure of contacts 232 and 234. Relay 181 becomes'energized by the closure of contacts-226 and 227 and winding 66 of the solenoid 65 becomes energized bythe bridging ofconta'cts 1843 and 183 by the pole 182 of relay 181. Rack 24then descends until the end of thepis'ton rod 64 engages limit switch 292 and the rack engages limit switch 150. 'Relay 134 becomes deenergized by the opening of contacts 149 and 152, and the relay 165 becomes energized by the closure of contacts 245 and "246 by pole 247. The venting solenoids 129 then become energized by the closure of contacts 222 and 223 by pole 22 1 of limit switch 151), releasingthe material onto'table 30. Relay 206 is 'again'energized by the closure of contacts 241 and-243 by pole 242 of limit switch 202, whereby-the winding 67 of the reversing valve 65 becomes energized through the contacts 205 and 208 and pole 207 of relay 206. This elevates the rack 24 until said rack engages limit switch 129, whereupon relay 266 is deenergized at contacts 215 and-216 of limit switch 129. This deenergizes winding 67.

Winding 64) of the reversing valve solenoid 58 becomes energized through the contacts 164 and 167 and pole 166 of relay 165. The trolley member 21 then returns to a position overlying the conveyor 50 and engages limit switch 156. This deenergizes winding 60 at the contacts and 158, and deenergizes the relayby the opening of contacts 174 and 175. This restores the elements of the hoist portion of the apparatus to their starting positions so that the procedure may be repeated to transfer a succeeding piece of sheet material to the table 36.

It will be understood that the pieces of sheet material may be so spaced on the conveyor 50 that the sheets are successively handled by thetwo segments of the duplex apparatus shown in Figure 1. Thus, while one sheet is being handled by the segment of the apparatus shown at the left in Figure l, the next sheet will move onwardly and engage the initiating limit switch 188 (not shown) of the material handling segment shown at the right in Figure 1. In any event, a desired number of sheets may be stacked on the tables 30 by allowing the apparatus to operate in the manner above described.

After the desired number of sheets has been stacked on a table 30, the sheets may be crated by operating the packing jig portion of the apparatus. Referring to Figure llb a relay 26% has one terminal thereof connected by a wire 261 to the power supply line 121 The remaining terminal of relay 260 is connected by a wire 262 to a contact 263 of limit switch 129, said contact being bridgingly connected to an opposing contact 2-64 of the limit switch by a'pole 265 thereof when the limit switch is in its closed position, namely, when the rack member 24 is in its elevated position over the conveyor 50, as shown in'Figure 3. Relay 260 is provided with the pole 266 which connects the stationary contacts 267 and 263 of relay 260 responsive to the energization of the relay.

The winding 91 associated with the operating valve 89 of'fluid pressure cylinder '17 has one terminal thereof connected by a wire 262 to the line Wire 1213. The remaining terminal of winding 91 is connected by a wire 270 to one contact 271 of a relay 272. Relay 272 has an armature 273 which-engages contact 271 and an'opposingcontact 274 responsive to the energization of relay 272. The contact 74 is connected by a wire 275 to a wire 276 which is in turn connected to the contact 268 of relay 269, so that the wire 276 is connected to the contact-267 responsive to the energization of relay 269. Contact 267 is connected by a wire 277s to the line wire 121. Thus, when relays 261 and 272 are energized the operating winding 91 associated with fiuidpressure cylinder 17 becomes energized through the relay armatures 273 and 266 by a circuit comprising line wire 12!), wire 269, the winding 91, the wire 271?, the armature 27 3 and contacts 271 and 274, the wire 275', the wire 276, the armature 266 and contacts 267 and 268, the wire 277 and the line wire 121.

Relay 272 has one terminal thereof connected by a wire 278-toline wire 1219. The other terminal of relay 272 is connected by a wire 279 to one terminal 280 of 'a pushbutton switch 281. The other terminal 282 of said switch is connected by a wire 283 to one terminal 284- of a limitswitch 285. Limit switch 285 has an arma- 11 ture 286 which is engageable with the contact 284 and an opposing contact 287 to connect wire 283 to a wire 288 connecting contact 287 to the wire 27 6.

Limit switch 285 is mounted on the truck frame 85 in a position to be engaged by the rotatable platen frame 97 when said frame is in its horizontal position, as shown in Figulre 2. Thus, in this position the contacts 284 and 287 are bridged and the relay 272 may be energized by manually closing the push button switch 281. When switch 281 is closed, relay 272 is energized by a circuit comprising line wire 120, wire 278, relay 272, wire 279, the closed switch 281, wire 283, pole 286 and contacts 284 and 287, wire 288, wire 276, pole 266 and contacts 267 and 268 of relay 260, wire 277 and line wire 121. This energizes the winding 91 by the circuit above described, which includes the armatures 273 and 266 of relays 272 and 260.

The energization of winding 91 operates the valve 89 and actuates the fluid pressure cylinder 17 to move the truck frame 85 inwardly, carrying the empty crate 114 thereon, so that the crate receives the stacked plates of material 115 and also receives the arm 51 of table 30 supporting said plates.

The truck frame 85 moves inwardly until it engages a limit switch 289 mounted on frame 20, defining the limit of inward movement of truck frame 85.

As shown in Figure llb, the relay 272 is provided with a holding circuit comprising an armature 290 which engages contacts 291 and 292 responsive to the initial energization of the relay produced by closing push button switch 281. The contact 291 is connected to the wire 279 and the contact 292 is connected by a wire 293 to one contact 294 of limit switch 289. Limit switch 289 has an armature 295 which normally engages the contact 294 and an opposing contact 296, connecting contact 294 to a wire 297, which is connected to the wire 283, and thus through the pole 286 and wires 238 and 276 to the contact 263 of relay 260. Contact 268 is connected through the armature 266 and contact 267 to the wire 277, which is in turn connected to line wire 121. Therefore, when the truck frame 85 engages the limit switch 289, the contacts 294 and 296 are disconnected, opening the holding circuit for relay 272, whereby the relay becomes deenergized. This opens contacts 271 and 274 and deenergizes the solenoid valve winding 91.

The closure of limit switch 289 also energizes the winding 111 of the platen elevating solenoid valve 110. Thus, winding 111 has one terminal thereof connected by a wire 29% to the line wire 120. The remaining terminal of the solenoid is connected by a wire 299 through the armature 300 and contacts 301 and 302 of a limit switch 303 to a wire 304 which is connected to a contact 305 of limit switch 289. The limit switch 289 has an armature 306 which engages contact 305 and an opposing contact 307 to connect wire 304 to a wire 308, which is in turn connected to wire 276 and is thus connected to line wire 121 through the armature 266 and contacts 267 and 268 of relay 260. Therefore, the closure of limit switch 289 energizes winding 111 and causes the platen member 105 to be elevated by the fluid pressure cylinders 12.

As previously described, this causes the liftingblocks 19 of the platen member 105 to raise the stacked sheets 114 off the arms 51.

The upward movement of platen member 105 is limited by the engagement thereof with the limit switch 303 which is mounted on the frame 20 in a position to be engaged by the member 105 responsive to its elevation, as illustrated in Figure 2. Winding 111 is thus deenergized by the disengagement of armature 300 from the contacts 301 and 302. At the same time an armature 310 of limit switch 303 engages a pair of contacts 311 and 312. This energizes a relay 313.

As shown in Figure 11b, relay 313 has one terminal thereof connectedby a wire 314 to the line wire 120. The other terminal of the relay 313 is connected by a wire 315 to the contact 312. The contact 311 is connected by a wire 314 to the wire 308 and is thus connected to the line wire 121 through the armature 266 of relay 260. Thus the closure of the limit switch 303 energizes the relay 313 and establishes a holding circuit therefor, including an armature 315 which engages a pair of contacts 316 and 317 responsive to the energization of the relay. The contact 317 is connected to the wire 315 and the contact 316 is connected by a wire 318 and a normally closed limit switch 319 to a wire 320, which in turn is connected to the wire 276.

Limit switch 319 is suitably mounted in a position to be engaged by the platen frame 97 when it has been rotated to the vertical position thereof shown in dotted view in Figure 2.

Relay 313 has an armature 321 which engages a pair of contacts 322 and 323 responsive to the energization of relay 313. A limit switch 324 is provided and is suitably mounted to be engaged by the top portion of the upstanding member 113 when the truck frame is in its outwardly extended position with the platen assembly horizontal, as shown in full line view in Figure 2. The limit switch 324 is released when the truck frame 85 moves inwardly, whereby an armature 325 of limit switch 324 is' allowed to engage a pair of contacts 326 and 327. When the limit switch 303 is engaged by the elevated platen member 105, it energizes the solenoid winding associated with the reversing valve 89 of cylinder 17. Thus, one terminal of the winding 90 is connected to the wire 269, and thence to the line wire 120. The other terminal of winding 90 is connected by a wire 330 to limit switch contact 326. The limit switch contact 327 is connected by a wire 331 to one contact 332 of limit switch 303. The limit switch 303 has a pole 333 which connects the contact 332 to an opposing contact 334 when the limit switch 303 is engaged by the elevated platen member 105. Thus winding 90 is energized by a circuit comprising line wire 120, the wire 269, the winding 90, wire 330, pole 325 and contacts 326 and 327 of limit switch 324, wire 331, pole 333 and contacts 332 and 334 of limit switch 303, wire 314, wire 308, wire 276, pole 266 and contacts 267 and 268 of relay 260, wire 277 and line wire 121.

Energization of winding 90 causes the cylinder 17 to extend its piston rod 88 and move the truck frame 85 to the outwardly extended position thereof, until the truck frame engages limit switch 324. This opens the energizing circuit of winding 90 at the armature 325.

A limit switch 340 is provided on the platen frame 97 in a position to be engaged by the platen member when said platen member is in its lowered position, but closing responsive to the elevation of said platen member by the fluid pressure cylinder 12. When the limit switch 324 is engaged by the upstanding member 113 as the truck frame moves to its outward position, shown in full line view in Figure 2, the armature 325 of limit switch 324 engages a pair of contacts 341 and 342. This energizes the winding 112 of reversing valve 110. As shown in Figure 1112, one terminal of winding 112 is connected to the wire 298, and thence to the line wire 120. The other terminal of winding 112 is connected by a wire 343 through the contacts of limit switch 340 to a wire 344 which is connected to the contact 341 of limit switch 324. Contact 342 is connected by a wire 345 to the wire 314 and thence to the line wire 121 through the wires 308, 276, 277 and the armature 206 of relay 260.

Energization of winding 112 causes the platen member 105 to descend until it engages the limit switch 340, which opens the energizing circuit of winding 112.

The closure of limit switch 324 also energizes the winding 103 of the solenoid valve 102 associated with the fluid pressure cylinder 10. Thus, one terminal of winding 103 is connected by a wire 350 to the line Wire 1120. The other terminal of winding 103 is connected by a wire 351 to a contact 352 of limit switch 324, said contact beass-mass ing engaged by a pole 353 which also engages anopposing contact354. Contact 354 is connectedby'a wire-355 to the contact 322 of relay 313. Since relay'313' is held energized by its holding circuit, above described,"the wire 355 is connected through the contact322, the'pole321 and the contact 323 to the wire 276, and thence through the armature 266 of relay 265 and wire 277 to line 'wire 121.

Energization of Winding 193 causes piston rod 100 to be extended upwardly from the cylinderll), rotating the platen assembly to a verticalposition around the pivot members 6, 6, namely, to the dotted view position shown in Figure 2. This continues until the platen frame 97 engages the limit switch 319, thus openingthe holding circuit of relay 3Z3. Relay 313 becomes deenergized, whereby armature 321 disengages from contacts 322 and 323 and deenergizes the winding 103 of thereversing valve 102.

The loaded crate, in a vertical position, may now be removed from the horizontally extendingwall member 113 (shown in dotted view in Figure 2), by any suitable means, for example, by a'fork lift truck or similar means. The platen frame may then be lowered'to a horizontal position by energizing the winding 104 of the reversing valve 102. This is done by closing a normally'open push button switch 360 which is included in an energizing circuit for the winding 104. Also included in this energizing circuit is a pole 361 and a pair of contacts 362 and 363 of the limit switch 285, the pole 361 engaging the contacts 362 and 363 responsive to the release of said limitswitch-whenthe platen frame is rotated upwardly, as previously described. Thus, one terminal of the winding 104 is connected by the wire 350 to the line wire 120 and the other terminal of'winding 104 is connected by a wire 365 to the contactr363. The contact 362 is connected through the pushbutton'switch 360 to the line wire-121. Therefore when the push button switch 360 is closed the winding ltM' becomes energized by a circuit comprising line 'wire 120,wire 350, the winding 104, the wire 355, the armature36'1 and contacts 362 and 363, and a wire 366 connectedthrough the: push button switch 360 to the line wire r121.

Energization of winding 104 causes the piston rod 1% of cylinder to be retracted, and the-plateniframe 97 descends until the limit switch 285'is engaged=thereby, which opens the energizing circuit of winding'104 at the pole 361. This restores the-apparatus'tothe original starting position thereof illustrated infull-lineView of Figure 2. To repeat the operation, it is rnerelynecessary to close the push button switch 281.

As will be readily apparent from the foregoing description, the apparatus herein disclosed is especiallyvsuitable for handling and packing relatively fragile :sheetmaterial, such as plate and sheet glass, since'the apparatus is provided with means engaging such material without scratching or marring the surfaces thereof (suction cups 128), and since the material is moved gently and without excessive impact during each stage of handling thereof by the apparatus.

While a specific embodiment of an improved apparatus for handling material has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that vairousmodifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for handling material, a frame, a table, a trolley member movably mounted on said frame and being movable from a loading position spaced from the table to a position overlying the table, means on the trolley member to releasably engage material in said loading position, means to release the material when the trolley member overliessaid table, a platen :14 member movably mounted onthe frame and being reciprocablymovablehorizontally toward and away from the table, meanson the platen member to-support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table,means to movesaid platen member toward said table sufficiently for the receptacle to substantially encompass material on the table, means to initiate horizontal movement of the platen member responsive to release of the material onto'the table, means to thereafter move the platen member away from the table, and means to rotate the platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to return move- 'ment thereof away from the table.

2. In an apparatus for handling material, a frame, a table, a trolley member movably mounted'on said frame and being movable from a loading position spaced from the table to a position overlying the table, vertically movable load-engaging means on the trolley member constructed and arranged to releasably engage material in said loading position, means to release the material when the trolley member overlies the table, a platen member movably mounted on the frame and being reciprocably movable horizontally toward and away from the table, means on the platen memberto support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, means to move said platen member toward said table sufliciently for the receptacle to substantially encompass material on the table, means to initiate horizontal movement of the platen member responsive to release of the material onto the table, means to thereafter move the platen member away from the table, and means to rotate the platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to return movement thereof away from the table.

3. In an apparatus for handling material, a frame, a table, a trolley member movably mounted on said frame and being movable from a loading position spaced from the table to a position overlying the table, vertically movable load-engaging means on the trolley member constructed and arranged to releasably engage material in said loading position, means to lower said load-engaging means and to release the material when the trolley member overlies said table, a vertically movable platen member movably mounted on the frame and being reciprocably movable horizontally toward and away from the table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, means to move said platen member toward said table sufiiciently for the receptacle to substantially encompass material on the-table, means to initiate horizontal movement of the platen member responsive to release of the material onto the table, means to elevate the platen member when it has been moved to a predetermined position adjacent the table, means to thereafter move the platen member away from the table, means to lower the platen member when it has been moved to a predetermined position away from the table, and'means to rotate the platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to return'movement thereof away from the table.

4. In an apparatus for handling material, a frame, a table, a trolley member movably mounted on said frame and being movable fiom a loading position spaced from the table to a position overlying the table, vertically movable load-engaging means on the trolley member, means to lower said load-engaging means to 1oad-engaging position responsive to the presence of material beneath same, means to elevate said load-engagingmeans and to move said trolley member toward the table,'means to lower and release said load-engaging means when it overlies the table, a platen member movably mounted on the frame and being reciprocably movable horizontally toward and away from the table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, means to move said platen member toward said table sufficiently for the receptacle to substantially encompass material on the table, means to initiate horizontal movement of the platen member responsive to release of said load-engaging means, means to thereafter move the platen member away from the table, and means to rotate said platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to return movement thereof away from the table.

5. In an apparatus for handling material, a frame, a table, a trolley member movably mounted on said frame and being movable from a loading position spaced from the table to a position overlying the table, vertically movable load-engaging means on the trolley member, means to lower said load-engaging means to load-engaging position responsive to the presence of material beneath same, means to elevate said load-engaging means and to move the trolley member toward the table, means to lower and release said load-engaging means when it overlies the table, a vertically movable platen member movably mounted on the frame and being reciprocably movable horizontally toward and away from the table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from said table, means to move said platen member toward said table sufficiently for the receptacle to substantially encompass material on the table, means to initiate horizontal movement of the platen member responsive to release of said load-engaging means, means to elevate the platen member when it has been moved to a predetermined position adjacent the table, means to thereafter move the platen member away from the table, means to lower the platen member when it has been moved to a predetermined position away from the table, and means to rotate the platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to the lowering thereof subsequent to return movement thereof away from the table.

6. In an apparatus for handling material, a frame, a table, a trolley member, means on the frame movably supporting said trolley member for horizontal reciprocal movement from a load-receiving position adjacent the table to a load-releasing position overlying the table, a vertically movable rack member on said trolley member, load-engaging means on said rack member, means to lower said rack member when in said load-receiving position and to then elevate said rack member, means to move the trolley member to said load-releasing position responsive to the elevation of said rack member, means to lower the rack member when it is over the table, means to release the load-engaging means when the rack member is lowered over the table and then to elevate the rack member, a platen member, means supporting said platen member for reciprocable horizontal movement toward and away from the table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, means to move said platen member toward said table sufiiciently for the receptacle to substantially encompass material on the table, means to initiate horizontal movement on the platen member responsive to said elevation of said rack member, means to thereafter move the platen member away from the table, and means to rotate said platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to return movement thereof away from the table.

7. In an apparatus for handling material, a, frame, a table, a trolley member, means on the frame movably supporting said trolley member for hor zontal reciprocable movement from a load-receiving position adjacent said table to a load-releasing position overlying the table, a vertically movable rack member on said trolley member, load-engaging means on said rack member, means to lower said rack member when in said load-receiving position and to then elevate said rack member, means to move the trolley member to said load-releasing position responsive to the elevation of said rack member, means to lower the rack member when it is over the table, means to release the load-engaging means when the rack member is lowered over the table and then to elevate the rack member, a vertically movable platen member, means supporting said platen member for reciprocable horizontal movement toward and away from the table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, means to move said platen member toward said table sufiiciently for the receptacle to substantially encompass material on the table, means to initiate horizontal movement of the platen member responsive to said elevation of said rack member, means to elevate said platen member when it has been moved to a predetermined position adjacent the table, means to move the platen member to 'a predetermined position away from the table responsive to elevation of the platen member, means to lower the platen member when it has reached said last-named predetermined position, and means to rotate said platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to the lowering of the platen member in said last-named position.

8. In an apparatus for handling material, a conveyor, a table adjacent said conveyor, horizontal track means extending over said conveyor and table, a trolley member movably mounted on said track means, a vertically movable rack member on said trolley member, loadengaging means on said rack member, means to lower said rack member when in a position over the conveyor and then to elevate same, means to move said trolley member over said table and to lower said rack member, means to release the load-engaging means responsive to the lowering of the rack member on the table and to then elevate the rack member, a platen member, means supporting said platen member for reciprocable horizontal movement toward and away from the table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, means to move the platen member toward the table sufiiciently for the receptacle to encompass material on the table responsive to the last-named elevation of the rack member, means to elevate the platen member vertically when it has been moved to a predetermined position adjacent the table, means to move said platen member horizontally to a predetermined position away from the table responsive to elevation of the platen member, means to lower the platen member when it has reached said last-named predetermined position, and means to rotate said platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to the lowering of the platen member in said last-named predetermined position. V

9. In an apparatus for handling material, a conveyor, a table adjacent said conveyor, horizontal track means extending over said conveyor and table, a trolley member movably mounted on said track means, a vertically movable rack member on said trolley member, a plurality of depending load-supporting vacuum cups on said rack member, means to lower said rack member when in a position over the conveyor and then to elevate same, means to move said trolley member over said table and to lower said rack member, means to vent said vacuum cups responsive to the lowering of the rack member on the table and to then elevate the rack member, a platen member, means supporting said platen member for reciprocable horizontal movement toward and away from said table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, me ans to move the platen member toward the table sufliciently for the receptacle to encompass material on the table responsive to the last-named elevation of the rack member, means to elevate the platen member vertically when it has been moved to a predetermined position adjacent said table, means to move said platen member horizontally to a predetermined position away from the table responsive to elevation of the platen member, means to lower the platen member when it has reached said last-named predetermined position, and means to rotate said platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to the lowering of the platen member in said last named predetermined position.

10. In an apparatus for handling material, a conveyor, a table adjacent said conveyor, horizontal track means extending over said conveyor and table, a trolley member movably mounted on said track means, a vertically movable rack member on said trolley member, a plurality of depending load-supporting vacuum cups 011 said rack member, means to lower said rack member when in a position over the conveyor responsive to the presence of material on the conveyor beneath the rack member, means to elevate the rack member, means to move said trolley member over said table and to lower said rack member, means to vent said vacuum cups responsive to the lowering of the rack member on the table, means to then elevate the rack member, a platen member, means for supporting said platen member for reciprocable horizontal movement toward and away from said table, means on the platen member to support a receptacle in a horizontal position for movement therewith toward and away from the table, means to move the platen member toward the table to a position underlying the material and wherein the receptacle encompasses the material on the table responsive to the last-named elevation of the rack member, means to elevate the platen member vertically when it has been moved to said lastnamed position, means to move said platen member horizontally to a predetermined position away from the table responsive to elevation of the platen member, means to lower the platen member when it has reached said last-named predetermined position, and means to rotate the platen member substantially to a vertical position responsive to the lowering of the platen in said last-named predetermined position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,747,353 Shibata May 29, 1956 

